The SC SBDC is excited to collaborate on a joint initiative with the S.C. Commission for Minority Affairs (CMA), South Carolina’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), lenders and other partners to improve upon the economic impact of African American businesses and entrepreneurs. 

This partnership focuses on expanding and enhancing services to (1) increase business growth and success; and (2) create economic growth and prosperity in African American communities.

This new program created by the SC SBDC called “The BRIDGE,” stands for “Better Resources for Inclusion, Dialogue, Growth & Equity.” The overarching objectives of The BRIDGE are to: 

• Expand outreach and awareness of small business services in underserved African American communities throughout the state of South Carolina;

• Enhance and tailor business assistance to meet the needs of African American entrepreneurs; and

• Engage African Americans in the challenge to pursue goals that advance both their own businesses AND local communities.
   

All African American entrepreneurs are invited to join.

For Pee Dee region small businesses, Grand Strand SCORE's new GS-360 service is offering a new mentoring services for established and mature small businesses in Horry, Georgetown, Florence, Marion, Williamsburg, Dillon, Chesterfield, Darlington or Marlboro counties. The GS-360 team, comprised of SCORE certified mentors, will work with small business employees and/or owners on a scheduled basis where an agenda that is set by the key SCORE client - business owner(s).

GS-360 is only an advisory service with no voting or legal standing but may offer clients a different fresh perspective on their business that may have been overlooked. The GS-360 team will confidentially review the status of your business, help you to identify the root cause of the problem and to define the path to full business recovery and steady growth. In addition, the Grand Strand SCORE will introduce you to a healthy network of local organizations that support small businesses, which will assure the sustainability of the offered solution on the local market.

South Carolina employers can apply for their employees to receive a scholarship to enroll in either a 12-week A+ program or 8-week Security+ program offered through CompTIA that includes mentored learning certification preparation package, valued at over $5,000.

• For Employees of South Carolina Businesses
• Upskill employees through a scholarship opportunity
• 16 weeks of access to CompTIA learning management system and 1:1 mentor support
• Everything employees need to pass the certification examination and earn a CompTIA IT certification

A regional, non-profit, economic development organization with objectives to create jobs and provide research assistance, infrastructure support, workforce training opportunities, regional site selection assistance and incentives. 

A public/private economic development organization charged with facilitating the creation of jobs and the investment of capital.

A public/private alliance on a mission to cultivate and nurture the prosperity of Central South Carolina by helping businesses create jobs and recruiting capital investment.

Provides value-added services and products to the local developers within the five-county region, including strategic planning, workforce assessment, research services and data platforms.  

A public/private regional economic development organization designed to market and promote the dynamic, commerce-rich, northwestern corner of South Carolina and position the Upstate to excel in the global economy through strategic marketing, collaboration, and thought leadership.

The South Carolina APEX Accelerator is a resource for small and large S.C. businesses looking to obtain free procurement technical assistance. We provide specialized assistance to clients, helping them to identify federal, state and local government contractual opportunities.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is modernizing the certification management experience. You may apply for and manage your Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Small Business certifications in this easy-to-use single system.